Frontier serves up two new Ethernet Private Line flavors, adds QoS, SLAs

Frontier (Nasdaq: FTR) is increasing the value of its Ethernet portfolio by adding a new QoS capability that enables traffic prioritization capability based on user-defined applications and two new Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) service tiers.

The service provider's new Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) Gold is a point-to-point service that includes bandwidth guarantees, a limited delay in traffic prioritization and monthly reporting. Likewise, Frontier's EVPL Platinum is a point-to-point service for customers that have real-time data delivery requirements and corresponding SLAs.

Stephen LeVan, Frontier's senior vice president of Commercial Sales, said in a press release that in 2014 it will make additional enhancements to its "Ethernet portfolio, beginning with fiber QoS-enabled elements in 480 Frontier exchanges" in 23 states.

But fiber-based services are only one part of Frontier's Ethernet story.

One of the key enhancements to the portfolio will be to expand the availability of its Ethernet over Copper-based service across its 6,373 telephone exchanges.

In addition to QoS, SLAs and Reporting, Frontier said it will expand and enhance its EVPL offers with new interface speeds, out-of-franchise capabilities, multipoint-to-multipoint configurations and services that enable multiple Classes of Service (multi CoS) with manageability over interconnected provider networks.

The service provider is also increasing Ethernet speeds. During the third quarter, Frontier reported that its Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) service for medium and larger business customers is now available in 86 percent of its central offices.

Expanding its Ethernet portfolio and reach has been a major priority for Frontier in 2013.

Leveraging the Ethernet network it built in 55 markets stretched across 10 states in October 2011, the telco introduced a new Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) Silver service last February. As a point-to-point product, EVPL Silver will offer a range of Ethernet interfaces of 10/100/1000 Mbps and can scale from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

For more:
- see the release

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